Apparatus for crimping yarn



March 14, 1961 R. w. TIMBIE 2,974,392

APPARATUS FOR CRIMPING YARN Filed Sept. 28, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N V EN TOR. ROBE R T W T/MB/E ATTORNEY March 14, 1961 R. w. TlMBlE 2,974,392

APPARATUS FOR CRIMPING YARN Filed Sept. 28, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 2/ ,0 20 ROBERT w T/MB/E ATTOR NE Y United States APPARATUS FOR 'CRIMPiNG YARN Filed Sept. 28, 1959, Ser. No. 842,746

11 Claims. (Cl. 28-1) This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a textured yarn and more particularly to a method and apparatus for treating a continuous filament yarn in such a way that itssurface characteristics are modified so as to give the yarn increased mass or bulk per unit length.

Man-made textile yarns are classified generally into two distinct types, each having its own properties and advantages over. the other. One type known as spun yarn is produced by cutting continuous filaments into staple lengths and spinning the resulting staple fiber-s into yarn by conventional processes. Among other things the spun yarns have the disadvantage of relatively low strength, and fabrics produced therefrom may have a tendency to pill. However, some of the advantages associated with spun yarns include enhanced capacity to absorb moisture, greater insulating power, a softer hand, and a toned-down luster. The other distinct type of manmade textile yarn is composed of filaments of extreme lengths and is known as continuous filament yarn. While continuous filament yarns have the advantage of greater evenness, superior strength, etc., they have several undesirable properties including low heat insulating values, lack of bulkiness, and low covering power.

Many methods and devices are known for imparting some of the desirable properties of spun yarn to continuous filament yarn by modifying the texture thereof. As a result, numerous end uses formerly dominated by spun yarn have been opened to continuous filament yarn. Continuous filament yarn which has been modified in some manner to increase its bulk, stretch, or both of these properties has become known as a textured yarn. The types of textured yarns are classifiable and characterized by the form taken by the individual filaments after same have been subjected to a texturizing operation. Such forms resulting from a change in the texture of the otherwise smooth continuous filaments include a rather permanent crimp, loop, coil, and curl shapes. Vastly different methods and apparatus are used to impart one or moreof these forms or specific characteristics to continuous filament yarn.

The present invention has to do particularly with a novel method and apparatus for texturizing continuous filament yarn whereby the change in surface dimensions or texture thereof is obtained by putting crimps in such yarn. A texturized yarn characterized as a crimped type of bulk yarn and presently having commercial acceptance is produced by feeding continuous filament thermoplastic yarn into a stuffer box and by removing same therefrom. By compressingthe yarn into the stuifer box, the individual filaments are caused to fold or bend at a sharp angle. While in the folded condition the yarn is heat-set. The yarn is removed from the box and has a wavy, irregular, zig-zag crimp that imparts to the yarn increased volume, soft hand, increased elasticity, etc.

Anothercommercial texturizing operation wherein bulk is accomplished by crimping the yarn also utilizes the stuffer box technique to induce. substantially permanent atent 231 4392 Patented Mar. id, 1951 ice with the arms defining a sharply acute angle with each other. Obviously, there are fibers which do not lend themselves readily to crimping by a method employing stuffing boxes, since some fibers may be too brittle to withstand the strains and crumpling pressure when successive lengths thereof'are bent or folded on each other and crammed into a stutter box. Hence, such procedures unfortunately may cause breakage to some extent and adversely affect the strength of certain yarns.

A further method of crimping heat-settabl'e continuous filament yarn not employing the use of a stufier box involves knitting the yarn into fabric, heat-setting the fabric, and unraveling the yarn. Obviously, such operation is expensive, and hence, it has not been commercially feasible, although notable. improvement of the yarn texture results.

An object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for crimping textile yarn, whereby the texture thereof is modified, that represent an improvement over known crimping methods and devices.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method for imparting bulk to thermoplastic continuous filament yarn by crimping same in a high speed and continuous operation.

A' further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for imparting bulk to heat-settable continuous filament yarn by mechanically shaping same into a series of crimps having alternate elbows and arms and thermally stabilizing same so that adjacent arms of the crirnps are maintained in spaced relation and without coming in contact with each other during the operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a method for longitudinally forwarding textile yarn and the like while permitting same to relax so as to decrease the linear path traversed by the advancing yarn.

A yet further object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for treating a textile yarn such that the resulting yarn simulates one that has been knitted into a fabric, heat-set in fabric form, and unraveled.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for attenuating a textile yarn made from a molecularly orientable polymer and for texturizing such yarn in one continuous operation.

Other objects of the present invention will, at least in part, be obvious and appear hereinafter in the detailed description of the invention.

In general, the desired texturizing of thermoplastic continuous filament yarn is accomplished in accordance with the present invention by providing a source of yarn and by removing the yarn from the source. The yarn is longitudinally advanced from the source and is displaced from its normally straight position by mechanical pulling means into a tortuous or zigzag pattern. In a storage zone or area the displaced yarn is made to assume such pattern with as much permanency as desired and possible, such as by heat-setting the yarn. Thereafter, the yarn is withdrawn from the storage zone and is collected in an orderly manner.

The invention comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, the scope of the invention being indicated in the annexed claims.

For a better and more complete understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic View in elevation, with principal parts in location, illustrating one complete arrangement of apparatus suitable for crimping a thermoplastic continuous filament yarn in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of one form of means for displacing continuous filament yarn from its normally unbent condition into a tortuous configuration and for forwarding the yarn in such a configuration;

Figure 3 is a view taken along line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a schematic view in elevation, with principal parts in location, illustrating another embodiment of the apparatus; and

Figure 5 is a side elevational view, partly in section, illustrating the means shown in Figure 4 for displacing continuous filament yarn from its normally unbent condition into a tortuous configuration and for forwarding the yarn in such a configuration.

The apparatus of the present invention is preferably a multiple unit machine. That is to say, it is provided with a plurality of identical yarn processing units. Inasmuch as all units are identical, only one will be described herein and like parts will be designated by like numerals.

A suitable source of normally straight thermoplastic yarn is provided. The apparatus of the invention includes means for withdrawing said yarn and longitudinally forwarding same from said source. Successive portions of the yarn as it is forwarded are continuously folded into a tortuous or Zig-zag pattern by means adapted to pull successive portions of the yarn so that the adjacent portions of the yarn bent in opposite directions form an acute angle, with said adjacent portions preferably being maintained in a spaced apart relation. In other words, successive portions of the yarn are pulled laterally of the path of yarn travel whereby the yarn is displaced from its normally substantially straight condition alternatively in one direction and then in the opposite direction into a tortuous form. Means are provided for moving the tortuously formed yarn through a storage area for a predetermined period of time during which said yarn is subjected to a textile treating operation such that the yarn is induced to assume and to maintain persistently its tortuous form. Means are associated with these elements for removing said yarn from said storage area and for taking up said yarn in an orderly manner. The apparatus of the present invention also includes means for heating said yarn either just before being displaced from its normally straight state or during its movement through said storage area. Furthermore, the yarn may be permitted to relax during its movement through said storage area. The present invention also contemplates an arrangement whereby the yarn is attenuated in length immediately before the yarn is displaced from its nonnally straight condition.

More particularly, the means for continuously pulling successive portions of the yarn in alternate directions and for forwarding same comprise movably supported complementary members or preferably two generally circular or rotary members whose axes are angularly off set from each other at an angle so that the members are most closely adjacent at one point and are spaced farthest apart at a point of 180 from the point of closest proximity. Each of the members carries interdigitatably arranged projecting elements extending outwardly and generally aligned in one direction so that the elements on one complementary member will overlap or extend over and beyond the corresponding elements on the other member during movement in the direction of teeth alignment. While it is preferred that the movement of the projecting elements in the direction. of alignment be rotary and hence the elements are peripherally carried on complementary circularor rotary members, it will be appreciated that such movement may be rectilinear as well. Where circular members angularly off set are employed, the greatest overlapping occurs at the point of closest approach of the two rotary members. In other words the elements are arranged to overlap successively at one point where the advancing yarn is received and to move progressively apart during rotation of said circular members to form a series of uniformly spaced corrugations or crimps in the yarn.

Yarn is fed between the projecting elements at the point of overlap. As the circular members rotate and opposed parts thereof move farther apart, whereby the elements separate and form no overlap, the yarn is displaced from its normally unbent state into a tortuous or zig-zig pattern by the lengthening of the distance between the corresponding elements. The yarn displaced in such a manner from its normally straight condition is then forwarded longitudinally while retaining such shape on the periphery of an accumulator wheel or plate. This wheel may have positioned projecting elements uniformly spaced in staggered relation for transferring the yarn from the cooperating projecting elements of the circular members onto the accumulator wheel. The yarn may be heat-set or otherwise treated to cause the yarn to persist in retaining its tortuous configuration while on the accumulator wheel. The forwarding speed of the yarn on the accumulator wheel may be reduced as compared to the delivery speed of the circular members so that the yarn is permitted to relax while traveling on said wheel. Relaxation may also be accomplished by properly spacing adjacent projecting elements on the accumulator wheel with respect to the spacing of the opposed elements on the circular members so that the yarn after having been transferred to the accumulator wheel is under little or substantially no longitudinal tension. In another arrangement the yarn transferred from the circular members is held in the zig-zag configuration by means of an endless belt having a portion arranged in surface engaging relation with the periphery of the accumulator wheel. The yarn on the wheel in this arrangement obviously will not be longitudinally tensioned, whereby the yarn is permitted to relax and to shrink along its axis.

In the continuous filament yarn treating apparatus shown in Figure l to which reference is made now in particular the thermoplastic, molecularly orientable yarn indicated by numeral 10, such as nylon and the like, and composed of a bundle of smooth substantially parallel filaments that have not been fully oriented is supplied from a yarn source. Since the yarn is not completely oriented, it is necessary to extend or stretch the yarn to be processed in order to obtain the optimum degree of molecular orientation therein. The yarn source can be, for example, yarn package 11 previously doffed from a conventional spinning machine. While the invention will be described with reference to an apparatus that employs a package so-dofied, it is to be borne in mind that this is merely for the purpose of convenient illustration and not in a sense of limitation since apparatus in accordance with the present invention likewise may be employed readily for processing continuous filament yarn directly moving from a spinning machine.

In operation, as shown, yarn 10 passed over and around one end of cone 12 or other yarn holder, such as a pirn or bobbin holding a yarn source. The yarn 10, if desired, is threaded conventionally through guide 13 that serves to assist in maintaining an orderly and uniform supply of yarn. From the guide 13 the yarn 10 is passed to a rotatably arranged thread advancing means 14 that is adapted to withdraw the yarn from cone 12 and to supply same at a controlled rate and that is operated at a first delivery speed. As shown, means 14 comprises a pair of rotatably mounted feed rolls, at least one of which being positively driven. The rolls have parallel axes and usually engage each other in operation to nip sufliciently the yarn passing therethrough so that slippage of the yarn between the rolls is prevented.

From the thread advancing means 14, the yarn is led around a stretch or draw pin 15 which may or may not be heated and where the majority of the attenuation of the yarn is directed around a rotatably mounted draw axially askew with respect to the axes of the feed rolls and usually has a smooth yarn contact surface. After being passed around pin a desired number of times, the yarn 10 is directed around a rotataby mounted. draw roll 16 and its associated spacer roller or bar 17. The roll 16 is driven by a suitable source (not shown) and is adapted to rotate at an increased peripheral speed as compared to the delivery speed of means 14. The yarn 10 is wound around roll 16 and spacer roller 17 a plurality of timesas shown in Figure 1. The axis of said spacer roller 17 is positioned at a slightly inclined angle with respect to the axis of roll 16 so as to insure proper longitudinal distribution and advancement along the peripheries of roll 16 and roller 17, thus preventing superposition of the wraps thereon.

The yarn is next passed through a guide 18, as shown, and then ltO the bite formed by a series of radially projecting elements referred to herein as pegs or pins 20 and 21. Pins 20 are disposed on the periphery of a circular or rotary member or hub 22, and pins 21 are disposed on the periphery of a similar and complementary circular or rotary member or hub 23 (Figure 2). At the point where the yarn is first passed between the pins, the opposed pins of the rotary members overlap; or in other words they extend over each other to form a crossed arrangement adapted to receive the yarn 10. As rotary member 22 and rotary member 23 are rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow, the extent of the overlap of the opposed pins progressively diminishes to point where no overlap of the pins exists. Further along the peripheral travel the pins become spaced apart, whereby successive portions of the yarn 11 are pulled laterally of the path of yarn travel alternatively in one direction then in the opposite direction. The distance between the opposed pins progressively increases to a maximum point which is 180 removed from the point of greatest overlap. Hence, the yarn is displaced from its normally straight condition into a zig-zag pattern by the lengthening of the distance between the opposed pins. Preferably at the point of greatest separation of the pins, the yarn is picked up by the radially projecting pegs or pins 24 disposed on the periphery of accumulator Wheel or circular plate 25. The pins 24 are arranged in spaced, staggered relation so as to correspond to andmaintain the zig-zag pattern of the yarn formed by the rotation of rotary members 22 and 23 and their associated interdigitatable pins 20 and 21. To insure proper transfer of the yarn from these pins to the accumulator wheel 25, a tracker guide 26 having a streamline form or like guiding means is positioned between the pins in the vicinity where pins 24 mate with pins 20 and 21. It will be peroeived that for effective transfer of the yarn, rotary members 22 and 23 and wheel are driven in proper timed relation. Along a portion of the circular path taken by the periphery of accumulator wheel 25 there may be a heating means 27 such as an electrically energizable heater element for increasing the temperature of the yarn being treated. For a more efficient operation a reflector shield 28 is associated with the heating means.

As can be seen, the yarn transferred to the accumulator wheel 24 is heated while being passed near the heating means 27. As it further progresses along the periphery of the wheel 25, yarn 10 is cooled by passing through the ambient atmosphere. An arcuate-shaped wire 30 is mountedon one of its ends on guide 26 and extends part of the way around the periphery of wheel 25 in spaced relation therewith, the objective of the wire 30 being to make certain that yarn 10 remains in proper position during its travel around said wheel.

Next, the yarn 10 is doffed from wheel 25. This may be accomplished, for example, by a guide 3 1 whose function is to direct the removal of the yarn from wheel 25. The yarn is taken up in an orderly arrangement in a conventional manner by a suitable form of a package building apparatus. As illustrated, the yarn 10 is forwarded by a pair of feed rolls 32 to a traverse guide 33 that lays the thus-treated yarn on a bobbin or the like 34 surface driven by a roller 35 to form a yarn package 36. The peripheral speed of feed rolls 32 is maintained in a predetermined reationship with the peripheral speed of thread advancing means 14. The speed of rolls 32 with respect to the speed of the rotary members 22 and 23 in operation may vary; however, by operating rolls 32 at a reduced speed greater relaxation of the yarn on wheel 25 may be attained.

While the embodiment in Figure 1 has been described with reference to treating yarn capable of being molecularly oriented, it will be understood the apparatus may be used as well to treat other types of yarn. When it is not desired to orient the yarn in the treating operation, draw pin 15 and draw roll 16, together with its spacer roller 17, may be omitted entirely.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, it is seen that rotary members .22 and 23 have intersecting axes and are mounted on shafts 37 and 38, respectively, to be angularly off-set from each other at an angle so that the members are most closely adjacent at a point and are spaced farthest apart at from such point. Shafts 37 and 38 are rotatably supported in bearing housings 40 and 41, respectively. The rotary members are arranged to be driven in unison. This may be accomplished by the provision of bevel gearing 42 circumferentially dispose-d on the opposed faces of rotary members 22 and 23 so that rotary motion of one causes the other to rotate. Pins 20 are disposed, preferably in uniform circular alignment, on the slanted surface of rotary member 22, with pins 21 being disposed in like manner on member 23. In the area of closest approach of members 22 and 23 mutually opposed pins 2%) and pins 21 interdigitate and move in crossed relation for a portion of their peripheral movement. Yarn 10 is fed between the in'terdigitated teeth. By rotation of the rotary members, the pins which are crossed gradually move from their interlocked positions to a spaced apart relation, whereby the yarn 10 is forwarded and made to take a zig-zag pattern. The distance between the opposed pins gradually increases to a point about where the rotary members are spaced apart to the greatest extent. At this point pins 24 are moved into engaging positions with the yarn carried by pins 29 and 21 so that the yarn is moved therefrom and transferred around and onto the pins 24 of the accumulator wheel 25 with the yarn retaining its zig-zag pattern. Since pins 24 pass between pins 20 and 21, this arrangement permits the yarn transferred onto wheel 25 to be under little or no longitudinal tension and thereby to shrink in its interwoven position on pins 24.

Wheel 25 fixedly mounted on a shaft 43 is rotatable in timed relation with rotary members 22 and 23. This relation may be accomplished conveniently by the use of the gearing comprising spur gear 44 rotatably supported on shaft 43 and meshing with a bevel spur gear 45 supported by shaft 38. Shaft 43 may be driven in a conventional manner; whereby wheel 25 and rotary members .22 and 23 are rotated in a predetermined relationship. Alternatively, shaft 37 or shaft 38 may be driven in a conventional manner to do this.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5 where a different arrangement of the apparatus of the present invention will be described, reference numeral 47 denotes a yarn heating means adapted to raise the temperature of traveling yarn. After being heated to a predetermined and elevated temperature, the yarn is bent from its normally straight 7 position into a tortuous or zig-zag pattern by passing same between the interdigitatably arranged pins and 21 disposed on rotary members 22 and 23 in. a manner similar to that described above. Upon bending the yarn the desired extent, preferably when the yarn reaches the maximum spread of the pins 20 and 21, the yarn is transferred onto an accumulator wheel or circular plate 48. The yarn is pressed against the periphery of wheel 48 by being sandwiched between same and an endless or continuous belt, band, web or the like 50. This belt engages wheel 48 between the points where the yarn is transferred onto the wheel and where same is removed therefrom. Rollers 51-55 are provided for rotatably supporting belt 50. The specific feature of this arrangement is to pass the yarn through a heating zone, to displace the yarn into a zig-zag pattern, andcontinually to forward same without any substantial longitudinal tension being applied thereto while in such pattern until the yarn has been cooled sufiiciently so that the yarn is heat-set by the operation. As can be seen, wheel 48 is mounted on shaft 56 which is rotatably supported by bearings 57 and is driven in a conventional manner. Rotary members 22 and 23 are rotated in unison, this being provided by flexible shaft coupling 58 connecting shafts 60 and 61 on which said rotary members are fixedly mounted. Shafts 60 and 61 are supported rotatably by bearings 62 and 63, respectively. Spur gear 64 is mounted on shaft 61 and meshes with spur gear 65 fixed to shaft 56 which is rotated in a suitable manner.

The method and apparatus of the present invention are applicable to a wide variety of continuous filament yarns, it being preferred that the yarn be made from a thermoplastic material, such as glass or fiber-forming resins, which may or may not be capable of being extended by drawing and then show increased molecular orientation along the filament axis. The yarns may be formed by known techniques. As examples of fiber-forming synthetic polymers which are included in the thermoplastic fiber-forming resins may be mentioned polyethylene; polypropylene; polyurethane; copolymers of vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride; the copolymers of vinylidene chloride and a. minor proportion of monoolefinic compounds copolymerizable therewith, such as, for example, vinyl chloride; homopolymers of acrylonitrile, copolymers of acrylonitrile and a minor proportion of at least one mono-olefinic compound copolymerizable therewith and polymer blends containing combined acrylonitrile in a major proportion; copolymers of vinyl chloride and acrylonitrile; long chain synthetic linear polyesters composed of at least 85% by weight of a polymeric ester of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and a dihydric alcohol, such as polyethylene terephthalate and the long chain synthetic linearpolyester derived essentially from terephthalic acid and bis-1,4-(hydroxymethyl) cyclohexane; linear polycarbonamides such as, for example, polyhexamethylene adipamide, polyhexamethylene sebacamide, polymeric monoaminomonocarboxylic acids, such as polymeric 6-amino caproic acid; and other fiber-forming thermoplastic polymers. Mixtures of such fiber-forming synthetic polymers also can be used. The process of this invention is applicable particularly for the treatment of yarn generically referred to as nylon, including nylon 66, nylon 4, nylon 6, nylon 610, nylon 11, and their fiber-forming copolymers thereof, e.g., 6/66, 6/610/66, 66/610, etc.

While the present apparatus and process are suitable for treatment of yarn whose filaments have a normal cross-section such as that produced where a spinneret having circular shaped orifices is employed during the manufacture thereof, unusual effects may beobtained by processing yarns having a non-circular cross-section or having an axial passage in accordance with the present invention. For example, when yarn composed of a plurality of continuous filaments having a body section and a plurality of finned sections or legs integrally joined to said body and radially disposed upon the surface of and extending longitudinally of the body, such as yarn of X- or Y-shaped cross-section, is subjected to the treatment in accordance with the instant invention, the resulting yarn has increased covering power, resiliency, and a crisp feel. The number of fins may be two, three, four, or more; and yarns having the fins are prepared by conventional methods, such as by employing during spinning a spinneret adapted to produce filaments having the desired number of fins or legs. It has been found that the yarn having the non-circular cross-section and whose bulk has been enhanced by the method and apparatus of the present invention is excellent for rugs and the like.

Twisted yarn can be processed as well as untwisted yarn. However it is preferred to start with a source of yarn having zero twist or substantially no twist. Substantial pretwisting of the yarn is generally unnecessary and for economic consideration is preferably avoided. The denier of the thermoplastic yarn can vary considerably, as well as the denier of the individual filaments, the ordinary deniers of commercially available yarns being completely suitable. Yarns having different compositions and deniers can be combined before being processed to produce novelty efiects.

The temperature at which the yarn heating means is operated depends upon many factors including the type of yarn, the yarn linear speed, and the construction thereof. The temperature of the yarn should be elevated preferably to a temperature below the temperature at which adjacent filaments will stick during the process. However, the temperature should be sufficiently high so that the yarn will be substantially permanently deformed from its normally straight condition without undue filament breakage. The temperature to which the yarn is subjected may be in the range of C. to 250 C. when nylon 66 is processed. Obviously, the surface temperature of the yarn heating means will depend on the many factors, such as the denier of the yarn and the speed of the yarn.

From the foregoing description it is seen that the advantages of the present invention are many. The use of the apparatus results in the production of yarn having desirable surface characteristics and is broadly applicable to produce such yarns from a wide range of filaments manufactured from thermoplastic materials. The present device for treating continuous filaments, for example of the nylon type, may be run at a high speed and high efiiciency and requires little operator attention. The construction and arrangement of the device make it possible to convert at moderate expense existing textile processing equipment such as a draw twister adapted for nylon processing into a machine of the type disclosed and claimed herein. The inherent properties of the thus treated yarn are such that they impart numerous and desirable properties in woven, non-woven, and knitted fabrics.

Many different embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, for example, novelty effects of various sorts may be imparted to the yarn by irregular or regular variation in the yarn speeds and stretches. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that a non-drawn thermoplastic yarn may be treated together with a similar or dissimilar drawn yarn or with a yarn that is not thermoplastic. Therefore, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown and described herein except as stated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for treating textile yarn to modify the texture thereof comprising, in combination, a pair of rotary members whose axes are angularly offset from each other at an angle so that during rotation the members are most closely adjacent at one point and spaced farthest apart at a point 180 from the point of closest proximity, means for rotatably supporting said members, means for rotating said members in unison, a plurality of pins circumferentially spaced on the periphery of each rotary member, said pins beinginterdigitatably arranged to overlapsuccessively at a point to receive advancing yarn therebetween and to move apart progressively during rotation of said members whereby successive portions of said yarn are pulled laterally of the path of yarn travel alternatively in one direction and then in the opposite direction into a tortuous form by the movement apart of said pins, means for transferring said tortuously formed yarn to and for moving same through a storage area, and means for removing said yarn from said storage area.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including meshing gear means for driving said rotary members in unison.

3. Apparatus for treating textile yarn to modify the texture thereof comprising, in combination, a pair of rotary members whose axes intersect and are angularly offset from each other at an angle so that during rotation the members are most closely adjacent at one point and spaced farthest apart at a point 180 from the point of closest proximity, means for rotatably supporting said members, means for rotating said members in uhison, a plurality of pins circumferentially spaced on the periphery of each rotary member, said pins being interdigitatably arranged to overlap successively at a point and to receive advancing yarn therebetween and to move apart progressively during rotation of said members, whereby successive portions of said yarn are pulled laterally of the path of yarn travel alternatively in one direction and then in the opposite direction into a tortuous form by the movement apart of said pins, a rotatably arranged wheel carrying a plurality of radially projecting pins deposited in uniformly spaced staggered relationship on the periphery of said wheel, means for rotating said wheel in timed relation with the rotation of said rotary members, said wheel pins being arranged to be introduced between the pins of said rotary members when the pins of the rotary members are spaced apart, said wheel pins being adapted to transfer yarn from the pins of said rotary members and to move said yarn around part of the periphery of said wheel, and means for removing said yarn from said wheel.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 including means associated with said wheel for heating the yarn during part of its travel around the periphery of said wheel.

5. Apparatus for treating textile yarn to modify the texture thereof comprising, in combination, a pair of rotary members whose axes intersect and are angularly offset from each other at an angle so that during rotation the members are most closely adjacent at one point and spaced farthest apart at a point 180 from the point of closest proximity, means for rotatably supporting said members, means for rotating said members in unison, a plurality of pins circumferentially spaced on the periphery of each rotary member, said pins being interdigitatably arranged to overlap successively at a point to receive advancing yarn therebetween and to move apart progressively during rotation of said members, whereby successive portions of said yam are pulled laterally of the path of yarn travel alternatively in one direction and then in the opposite direction into a tortuous form by the movement apart of said pins, a rotatably arranged wheel, an endless belt associated with said Wheel and having a portion arranged in surface engaging relation with the periphery of said plate, means for rotating said wheel in timed relation with the rotation of said rotary members, said belt being arranged to receive the tortuously formed yarn at substantially the maximum spread of said pins and to move said yarn between said belt and the periphery of said wheel during rotation of said belt and wheel, and means for removing said yarn from said wheel.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 including meshing gear means for driving said rotary members in unison.

7. Apparatus for treating yarn to modify the texture thereof comprising, in combination, a pair of rotary members whose axes intersect and are angularly offset from each other at an angle so that during rotation the members are most closely adjacent at one point and spaced farthest apart at a point 180 from the point of closest proximity, said rotary members being mounted on rotatably supported shafts, meshing bevel gears circumferentially disposed on the opposed faces of said rotary members for rotating said members in unison, a plurality of pins circumferentially spaced on the periphery of each rotary member, said pins being interdigitatably arranged to overlap successively at a point and to receive advancing yarn therebetween and to move apart progressively during rotation of said members, whereby successive portions of said yarn are pulled laterally of the path of yarn travel alternatively in one direction and then in the opposite direction into a tortuous form by the movement apart of said pins, a rotatably arranged wheel carrying a plurality of radially projecting pins deposited in uniformly spaced staggered relationship on the periphery of said wheel, an electrically energizable heater element assoc-iated with said wheel for heating the yarn during part of its travel around the periphery of said wheel, said wheel being mounted on a rotatably supported shaft, a spur gear fixed to said wheel shaft and arranged in meshed relation with a second spur gear fixed to one of the shafts on which said rotary members are mounted for rotating said wheel in timed relation with the rotation of said rotary members, said wheel pins being arranged to be introduced between the pins of said rotary members when the pins of the rotary members are spaced apart, said wheel pins being adapted to transfer yarn from the pins of said rotary members and to move said yarn around part of the periphery of said wheel, and means for removing said yarn from said wheel.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 including rotary feed rolls for attenuating the yarn just prior to its being advanced to the pins on said rotary members.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 including a flexible shaft coupling for driving said rotary members in unison.

10. Apparatus for treating textile yarn to modify the texture thereof comprising, in combination, a pair of rotary members whose axes intersect and are angularly offset from each other at an angle so that during rotation the members are most closely adjacent at one point and spaced farthest apart at a point from the point of closest proximity, said rotary members being mounted on rotatably supported shafts, a flexible coupling connecting said shafts for driving said rotary members in unison, a plurality of pins circumferentially spaced on the periphcry of each rotary member, said pins being interdigitatably arranged to overlap successively at a point to receive advancing yarn therebetween and to move apart progressively during rotation of said members, whereby successive portions of said yarn are pulled laterally of the path of yarn travel alternatively in one direction and then in the opposite direction into a tortuous form by the movement apart of said pins, a wheel fixed to a rotatably supported shaft, an endless belt associated with said wheel and having a portion arranged in surface engaging relation with the periphery of said wheel, a spur gear fixed to said wheel shaft and arranged in meshed relation with a second spur gear fixed to one of the shafts on which said rotary members are mounted for rotating said wheel in timed relation with the rotation of said rotary members, said belt being arranged to receive the tortuously formed yarn at substantially the maximum spread of said pins and to move said yarn between said belt and the periphery of said wheel during rotation of said belt and wheel, and means for removing said yarn from said wheel.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 including yarn heating means adapted to raise the temperature of 2,636,250 the yarn justprior to its being advanced to the pins on 2,668,564 said rotary members. I 2,696,034 6 2,812,569

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,000,643 Morton May 7, 1935 Dockerty Feb. 19, 1946 Hemmi Apr. 28, 1953 Loros Feb. 9, 1954 Swartz Dec. 7, 1954 Lawson et a1. Nov. 12, 1957 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,974,392 March 14, 1961 Robert W. Timbie It is hereby certified'that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 17, for "--z ig-zgig" read zigzag column 5 line 8, for the yarfm 10 1s directed around a rotatably mounted draw" read the yarn occurs. The pin is mounted to be stationary and column 6, line 13, for reatio-nship' read relationship Signed and sealed this 8th day of August 1961.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer I Commissioner of Patents 

